State Minister of Power and Public Enterprises Pradyut Bordoloi delivering the inaugural speech at a workshop on ‘Upgradation of the Vocational Courses of KKHSOU to National Skills Qualification Framework,’ in Guwahati on Tuesday. - UB Photos

GUWAHATI, Dec 2 – The Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University in collaboration with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) New Delhi organised a workshop on ‘Upgradation of the Vocational Courses of KKHSOU to National Skills Qualification Framework’ today here. The workshop was graced by a number of distinguished dignitaries including officials from the university. Altogether 30 participants from different ITIs and other government as well as private institutes of the state participated in the said workshop, stated a press release.

Dr Ankuran Dutta, Programme Officer (Livelihood and Health), CEMCA outlined the importance of the workshop by saying that different vocational and skill-based programmes must be upgraded as per National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). He deliberated on the issues pertaining to the contributions made by CEMCA in the field of skill development.

Vice Chancellor of Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, Professor Srinath Baruah underlined the fact that the university would implement more skill-based programmes for the learners in order to strengthen their ability to adapt to the changing market scenario. He specifically mentioned the fact that the university had made it mandatory for the learners to pursue three programmes – Spoken English, Computer Application and Office Management, at the degree level.

State minister of Education, Industry & Commerce, Power and Public Enterprises, Pradyut Bordoloi formally inaugurated the workshop. He emphasized the fact that the Assam Government has been relentlessly pursuing for the development of skill-based education in the State. In fact, plans are afoot to set up 12 model degree colleges, which are currently under construction. He also stressed on the need to have ‘community colleges’ in line with the western countries whereby the learners would be exposed to different skill-based courses to take on the challenges of the job market in the long way. The minister further said that KKHSOU can pool-in different resources and provide the much-needed platform to the learners/students of these model colleges.

NK Mohapatra, CEO, Electronic Sector Skill Council of India, New Delhi outlined the fact that the Government has laid importance on implementing the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in the country by 2018. Although he spoke about the challenges that might be encountered in the implementation of the aforementioned framework, yet the active cooperation from different sectors would make the initiative a success.

The Registrar of the university, Rajat Baran Mahanta delivered the vote of thanks.